House owner injured in violent robbery

Published:14:58Friday 28 October 2016

Detectives are investigating a violent robbery at an isolated house in West Sussex.

A Sussex Police statement says that at about 5.45pm on Wednesday (October 26), police were called to a robbery which had happened at a house off Shillinglee Road, Shillinglee, very near the border with Surrey.

The postal location for the address is for Chiddingfold, Surrey, but the actual address is in West Sussex, between the village of Plaistow and the junction with the A283 at Fisher Street.

A man had entered, probably through an upstairs window, and was disturbed by the 52-year old owner who arrived at his address with a friend, a 51-year old woman, while the intruder was still in the house.

The owner struggled with the man and sustained facial and head cuts, and bruises to his body, and his partner sustained a bruised hand.

The suspect stole a Mercedes ML320 4x4 from the property, which was found abandoned at 7pm that evening in a nearby lane just off Shillingleee Road.

He also took several hundred-worth of dollars and sterling notes, as well as four licensed shotguns in their carry cases, and some cartridges, and a distinctive 20-year old stainless steel Seiko Chronograph diver’s watch with a black face incorporating 360 degree turn dial. The retail value of the watch was £300.

The suspect is described as being of dark complexion, speaking good English and of Eastern European or Arabic appearance, about 5ft 9in-10ft, in his early 30s, of average build but with strongly muscular lower arms, with short dark hair.

He was wearing a dark coloured possibly black sweatshirt and jeans or trousers. He wore a neck warmer covering the lower part of his face.

Detective Constable Jo French said; “The intruder was very threatening and violent, assaulting the couple and putting them in great fear, although they did try to resist him.

“This was a most unusual incident for the area and we think local people may have noticed something suspicious late on Wednesday afternoon.

“We have already spoken to some nearby residents,but anyone with any information is asked to contact us via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting Operation Sparrowhawk.”

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).